AG-4756-S-11-0010.pdf

AG-4756-S-11-0010

Cherokee National Forest

Perform Biological Surveys Throughout CNF

SERVICE RFQ Page 1 of 48

PART 1 – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs Schedule of Items

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

ITEM 1: Conduct Biological Field Surveys on an Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity basis, in strict accord with the terms, conditions, and specifications contained herein.

ITEM 1A: Estimated Quantity Botanical Surveys

PAY ITEM / DESCRIPTION

ESTIMATED

QUANTITY

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

1. Stand-Sized Areas

Areas Over 10 acres

1,115

Acre

2. Bulldozer Lines

¼ Mile

3. Trails

4. Roads

TOTAL, BID ITEM 1A: $___________

ITEM 1B: Estimated Quantity Weller’s Salamander Surveys

EST

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

Areas over 10 acres

Acre

2. Bulldozer Lines 1

3. Trails 1

4. Roads 1

TOTAL, BID ITEM 1B : $____________

NOTE: Government reserves the right to negotiate price for Weller’s Salamander surveys for stand sized areas less than 10 acres in size.

SERVICE RFQ Page 2 of 48

ITEM 1C: Estimated Quantity Terrestrial Mollusk Survey.

(Includes Visual Searches And Leaf Litter Collections.)

PAY ITEM /

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

Areas over 10 acres

12” x 7”

Bag

2. Bulldozer Lines

3. Trails

Specification: one bag per 10 acre stand-sized survey ordered; or one bag per 0.5 mile of linear survey. For example, for stand-sized areas of 50 acres the order would typically but not always be 5 bags; for a very large treatment area of 2,500 acres the government may order a much smaller representative sample, such as

5 bags.

TOTAL, BID ITEM 1C: $__________________

NOTE: Government reserves the right to negotiate price for terrestrial mollusk surveys for stand sized areas less than 10 acres in size.

ITEM 1D: Estimated Quantity For Processing Of Government-

Furnished Leaf Litter Bags And Identification Of

Terrestrial Mollusks Within

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

1. Process leaf litter samples furnished by GOV; identify terrestrial mollusks bag

TOTAL, BID ITEM 1D: $ _________________

SERVICE RFQ Page 3 of 48

ITEM 1E: Estimated Quantity For Processing Of Government-

Furnished Bryophyte Packets And Identification Of

Specimens Within:

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

1. Process bryophyte samples furnished by GOV; identify to species level.

Packet (see section 230)

TOTAL, BID ITEM 1E: $ __________________

ITEM 1F: Survey For Indiana Bat

EST.

QTY.

PRICE

TOTAL

AMT

1. Net-nights of mist-netting and concurrent ANABAT monitoring per area. Allocate pricing according to percentages if provided.

a. South Cherokee (in increments of 2 calendar nights)

Net night*

b. North Cherokee (in increments of 2

Calendar nights)

Net night*

2. Radiotelemetry monitoring per individual Myotis sodalis

(and/or Myotis leibii, Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus or C. townsendii rafinequii if specified) per 24 hour period. Estimated order 6 days, minimum order 3 days to accompany mist netting.

24 hour period

3. Bat acoustic surveys

(ANABAT), 30-40 mile driving route, one calendar night each.

Analysis of acoustic data files.

a. South Cherokee

One route,one calendar night $ $

b. North Cherokee

One route,one calendar night

SERVICE RFQ Page 4 of 48

4. Bat acoustic surveys (fixed point

ANABAT)

a. South Cherokee (in increments of 2 detector nights)

4 Detector night

b. North Cherokee (in increments of 2 detector nights)

1 Detector night

TOTAL, BID ITEM 1F: $ __________________

*Net-Nights will be calculated thus: (Example) 3 nights x 4 net sets = 12 net-nights.

Focus Area - General vicinity of a proposed mist-netting location.

Net Locations - Very specific location identified on the ground for net set installation.

Net Set - Typical configuration of nets; often 3 nets stacked on top of one another to a height of 7 meters.

*Net Night - Single calendar night that a particular net set is monitored by contractor personnel.

Detector Night- Single calendar night that a particular Anabat detector is deployed

GRAND TOTAL, BID ITEMS 1A – 1F: $_________________

SERVICE RFQ Page 5 of 48

SECTION C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

SECTION 100 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

110 - Scope of Contract

Contractor shall furnish all labor, transportation, supervision, equipment, supplies and other incidentals necessary to provide biological survey services on lands within the Cherokee National Forest, in accordance with the terms, conditions, specifications and provisions of this solicitation.

Contractor shall conduct field surveys for Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (TES) vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, terrestrial mollusks, amphibians, bats, and rare habitats within designated project areas of the Cherokee National Forest. Species of Viability Concern (VC) will also be noted if encountered during the surveys.

An Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will result from this solicitation. All identified quantities of units of work included in the Schedule of Items are ESTIMATED and are not guaranteed to be available. These estimated quantities are based upon past consumption, current work plans, and projected need and are represented as the Government’s best estimate for covered work.

Following completion of field work, contractor shall prepare and submit a written draft report for each area surveyed broken out by taxa group.

The Government guarantees that, over the course of the contract term (12 months), unit priced work totaling $20,000 will be offered to the Contractor by issuance of Task Orders. If, at the end of the contract term, work offered does not aggregate to the identified amount, a balloon payment making up the difference will be made to the Contractor. Task Orders issued by the Government will detail the location of the work, quantity and type of work, and time for performance.

Additionally, Contractor shall be available at the request of the Forest Service for a period of two years should the need arise to defend his work in a court of law. Costs for such appearances shall be negotiated at that time.

120 - Location and Description

Project areas are located within the administrative boundaries of the Cherokee National Forest:

Ranger Districts: Ocoee, Tellico, Nolichucky, Watauga

Counties: Polk, McMinn, Monroe, Cocke, Greene, Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Sullivan, Johnson

State: Tennessee

See attached Vicinity Map of the Cherokee National Forest in Section J, Attachments

SERVICE RFQ Page 6 of 48

DIVISION 200 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

210 – Botanical Species Survey Methodology

In general, all botanical surveys (items 1-4 below) will be conducted between April 1 st and September 15 th however, this time period may be expanded or contracted after discussion with the COR based upon the location of the survey and seasonal phenology.

1. Stand-sized Areas

Surveys shall be conducted within defined areas. The survey shall consist of examining the site so that the vegetative communities present are fully characterized using the provided key to the vegetative communities of the Cherokee NF and Cherokee NF plant survey forms. Based upon the contractor’s knowledge of the TES and VC plants and their habitat associations, adequate time shall be spent surveying each vegetative community to make a determination of the presence or absence of rare plant species within the site. If habitat exists for a certain rare species but a conclusive determination cannot be made as to its presence/absence in the stand due to the seasonality of the survey, the contractor will note this and may recommend a future visit during the appropriate time of year. Time spent within stands will obviously vary based upon site conditions and habitats present, but previous experience has shown that an adequate survey of a 30 acre stand will take approximately one field day, thus the figure of 30 acres/day should be a guide for planning surveys.

Latitude and longitude will be recorded IN DECIMAL DEGREES (example: N 35.32910, W -

84.25723) for any locations of rare plants, specimens collected for identification, or rare communities (including rock outcrops, wetlands, seeps and springs.) Rare plant locations, collection sites, rare communities, and a track-log of the survey route through the stand will also be displayed using GIS or other electronic mapping software. Cherokee NF plant survey forms will be used to document the survey, including lists of vascular and non-vascular plants encountered in the project areas.

2. Bulldozer lines

Surveys shall be conducted within flagged bulldozer lines that will be used for controlling prescribed burns. The survey shall consist of following a flagged line and noting the vegetation present in a corridor twelve feet wide (six feet to either side of the flagged line.). Lines flagged on the ground may not always exactly match GIS maps. Defer to flagged locations but notify COR if deviation appears significant. Based upon the contractor’s knowledge of the TES and VC plants and their habitat associations, adequate time shall be spent surveying each vegetative community type to make a determination of the presence or absence of rare plant species within the site. If habitat exists for a certain rare species but a conclusive determination cannot be made as to its presence/absence in the area due to the seasonality of the survey, the contractor will note this and may recommend a future visit during the appropriate time of year. Time spent surveying bulldozer lines will obviously vary based upon site conditions and habitats present, but previous experience has shown that an adequate survey of a 5 mile segment will take approximately one field day, thus the figure of 5 miles/day

SERVICE RFQ Page 7 of 48 should be a guide for planning surveys. Latitude and longitude will be recorded IN DECIMAL

DEGREES (example: N 35.32910, W -84.25723) for any locations of rare plants, specimens collected for identification, or rare communities. These sites will be displayed using GIS or other electronic mapping software. Cherokee NF plant survey forms will be used to document the survey, including lists of vascular and non-vascular plants encountered in the project areas.

3. Trails.

Surveys shall be conducted within flagged trails. The survey shall consist of following a flagged line and noting the vegetation present in a corridor twelve feet wide (six feet to either side of the flagged line.). Lines flagged on the ground may not always exactly match GIS maps. Defer to flagged locations but notify COR if deviation appears significant. Based upon the contractor’s knowledge of the TES and VC plants and their habitat associations, adequate time shall be spent surveying each vegetative community type to make a determination on the presence or absence of rare plant species within the site. If habitat exists for a certain rare species but a conclusive determination cannot be made as to its presence/absence in the area due to the seasonality of the survey, the contractor will note this and may recommend a future visit during the appropriate time of year. Time spent surveying trails will obviously vary based upon site conditions and habitats present, but previous experience has shown that an adequate survey of a 5 mile segment will take approximately one field day, thus the figure of 5 miles/day should be a guide for planning surveys.

Latitude and longitude will be recorded IN DECIMAL DEGREES (example: N 35.32910, W -

84.25723) for any locations of rare plants, specimens collected for identification, or rare communities. These sites will be displayed using GIS or other electronic mapping software.

Cherokee NF plant survey forms will be used to document the survey, including lists of vascular and non-vascular plants encountered in the project areas.

Surveys shall be conducted along flagged routes for proposed new roads. The survey shall consist of following a flagged line and noting the vegetation present in a corridor sixteen feet wide (eight feet to either side of the flagged line.). Lines flagged on the ground may not always exactly match GIS maps. Defer to flagged locations but notify COR if deviation appears significant. Based upon the contractor’s knowledge of the TES and VC plants and their habitat associations, adequate time shall be spent surveying each vegetative community type to make a determination on the presence or absence of rare plant species within the site. If habitat exists for a certain rare species but a conclusive determination cannot be made as to its presence/absence in the area due to the seasonality of the survey, the contractor will note this and may recommend a future visit during the appropriate time of year. Time spent surveying new road locations will obviously vary based upon site conditions and habitats present, but previous experience has shown that an adequate survey of a 5 mile segment will take approximately one field day, thus the figure of 5 miles/day should be a guide for planning surveys. Latitude and longitude will be recorded IN DECIMAL DEGREES (example:

N 35.32910, W -84.25723) for any locations of rare plants, specimens collected for identification, or rare communities. These sites will be displayed using GIS or other electronic mapping software.

Cherokee NF plant survey forms will be used to document the survey, including lists of vascular and non-vascular plants encountered in the project areas.

SERVICE RFQ Page 8 of 48

220 – Field Documentation

The location of any TES or VC plants found by the contractor shall be marked in the field with paint.

Paint color used will be specified in the final report. Trees or other vegetation around the area containing the rare plants shall be marked so that the boundary is clearly delineated. Locations must be accurately mapped and displayed using GIS or other electronic mapping software. Special

Tennessee Plant Survey Forms shall be provided to the contractor and shall be completed for each

TES and VC plant location found. Topographic maps showing the precise location of the plants shall be attached to each form. Photographs shall be taken of all TES and VC plants species found and these photographs shall become the property of the Forest Service.

230 – Bryophtye Collections

During the botanical surveys, bryophyte (mosses and liverworts) species will be identified and recorded on the survey forms along with the vascular plant species encountered within the project areas. For any bryophytes that cannot be identified in the field, samples shall be collected in quantities sufficient to adequately represent the diversity present in the project area. The following collection standards will be followed:

Representative specimens shall be collected from a sample of all colonized substrates

(example: trees, rock, soil, down wood) from a few sample sites within the project area. The number of sample sites will vary based upon the local diversity of subtrates and habitat types.

A typical collection shall consist of approximately 1 square inch of plant material and should not impact any species’ local population. All specimens will be placed in the collection packets provided and packet labels will be completed with the following information:

Project Name

County/State

Scientific Name

Collector’s Name & Collection #

Date Of Collection

Plant Community specimen was collected from

Elevation

Aspect

Slope

Substrate

Abundance in area (i.e. common, occassional, rare)

Specific Location (include Lat/Log in decimal degrees, road names, landmarks, etc)

An attempt should be made to make pure collections (i.e. only one species per packet) though it is understood that diminuitive specimens will be included among clumps of larger species, and that some species mats are intertwined with others. Bryophyte collection sites will be well documented with latitude and longitude in decimal degrees and clearly shown on the survey maps. Collected specimens must be identified to the species level with species lists included in the final reports. All

SERVICE RFQ Page 9 of 48 data from the collection packets will also be recorded electronically in an excel spreadsheet, template will be provided. All specimens collected will become the property of the Forest Service and will be submitted in the properly completed collection packets with the final report.

Process Government-Furnished Bryophyte Packets

The Government may require additonal bryophyte samples to be identified. Any specimens collected by the government and sent to the contractor for identification will be subject to the same collection standards as described above.

240 – Terrestrial Fauna Species Survey Methodology

A. Terrestrial Salamander Searches (Item 1B, Schedule of Items)

The survey will target Plethodon welleri. Survey only project areas > 2000 feet above sea level in

Johnson, Carter, and Unicoi Counties. For incidental observations of salamanders of other species, identification to species is desirable but not required.

Duration

For stand-sized project areas < 10 acres, conduct a cumulative (20 minute search by one person, 10 minutes each by 2 people). For stand-sized project areas > 10 acres, conduct at least one cumulative

20 minute search by one person for each 10 acres of project area ordered.

For linear areas (bulldozer line, proposed road, proposed trail), search a 12-foot wide transect (six feet to either side of the flagged line-- See Botanical Survey Methodology).

Collections

Document specimens of Plethodon welleri with a digital photograph. Collect and preserve voucher specimens only as necessary to make a positive identification, as permitted by TWRA. Specimens will be deposited with Austin Peay State University, Museum of Zoology, Clarksville, TN, Attn.: Dr.

Floyd Scott.

Method

For projects/stands meeting elevation and county requirements, turn logs and talus and check adjacent accumulations of moist leaf litter. Examine larger logs by rolling back one or two moss mats growing on them, checking the underside of the moss and the exposed log. Upon visual examination, replace logs, rocks and moss mats to original position.

Season and Time of Day

Visual searches may occur in fall until soil temperatures drop below approximately 32 degrees F, or until the ground is frozen. Spring surveys can resume when soil temperature remains above 32 degrees F and may continue through summer until the top soil layer is very dry. Air temperatures below 80 degrees F are preferred. Searches may occur during daylight, or using a bright headlamp during dark.

SERVICE RFQ Page 10 of 48

Transect

Use an intuitive control method. After a quick reconnaissance of the stand or project area, traverse a survey line that connects the best concentration of microhabitat features (large downed logs, talus, and associated accumulations of deciduous leaf litter). The survey line may have a zigzag appearance, but should generally not exceed 20 feet in width. Minimize the time spent walking and maximize time spent searching.

Data

For individual’s visually encountered record in Excel format:

Forest Service District

County

Collector’s Name

Date of Collection

Plant/Ecological Community

Elevation

Aspect

Slope

Substrate

Abundance

Project Name

Latitude and Longitude, in decimal degrees

Number observed

Total length (mm)

Snout-vent length (mm)

Sex (if known)

Life stage (adult/sub-adult/juvenile)

For each location of TES and VC species, complete the attached Cherokee NF Rare Fauna Survey

Form and attach an accurate map generated by GIS or other electronic mapping software.

B. Terrestrial Snail/Slug Searches and Leaf Litter Collections (Item 1C Schedule of Items and as noted Item 1D, Schedule of Items)

Leaf Litter Collection and Processing: This method focuses on “microsnails”, or smaller-bodied and immature snails.

For stand-sized project areas < 10 acres, collect one 12 inch by 7 inch bag of deciduous leaf litter. For stand sized project areas > 10 acres, collect one 12 inch by 7 inch bag of deciduous leaf litter for each

10 acres sampled. The sample should include the dry-damp interface of litter, especially duff and associated fungus. NOTE: Onsite, examine handfuls of leaf litter with a hand lens as they are collected. If snails are not seen, discard the litter and select another suitable site.

SERVICE RFQ Page 11 of 48

For stand-sized project areas < 10 acres, duration of collection time should generally be a 20 minute cumulative survey (20 minutes by one person, 10 minutes each by two people, etc). For stand-sized project areas > 10 acres, conduct at least one 20 minute cumulative survey for each 10 acres of project area. For very large project areas (i.e., proposed prescribed burn), conduct a field reconnaissance of the proposed project area and identify the site(s) with a concentration of microhabitat features (below).

Conduct at least one 20 minute cumulative search within these selected areas per each 10 acres specified in the order. Use intuitive control to achieve a thorough survey.

For linear areas (proposed bulldozer line, proposed road, and proposed trail) collect one 12 inch by 7 inch bag of deciduous leaf litter per linear 0.5 mile. Focus the search on a 12-foot wide transect (six feet on either side of the flagged line -- See Botanical Survey Methodology).

Microhabitat Focal Areas

The samples will be collected within selected concentrations of suitable microhabitat features encountered (intuitive control). These features include:

Riparian areas, intermittent and ephemeral drainages, swales, coves, depressions

Leaf litter accumulations along the sides of large cover (boulders and >4 inch diameter logs)

The dry-damp litter interface in open areas (>3 m away from large cover)

Leaf litter accumulations at bases of tree trunks

Sampling and Processing

Each sample will be processed by thoroughly air drying the litter. Using a bright lamp, hand lens and sieve, thoroughly sort through the dry litter and remove snail specimens for identification.

Identify microsnail specimens to species. For each litter collection location, record in Excel format:

County

Collector’s Name

Date of Collection

Plant/Ecological Community

Elevation

Aspect

Slope

Substrate

Abundance (number of specimens per species per sample)

Latitude and Longitude, in decimal degrees

Unique or predominant microhabitat features observed (for example, boulders, moss mats, swale, wet cliff, etc.)

SERVICE RFQ Page 12 of 48

Visual Searches—Transect (Item 1C, Schedule of Items): This method places more emphasis on larger-bodied snails, slugs and empty snail shells readily visible with the naked eye.

Microhabitat Focal Areas

Use an intuitive control method. After a quick reconnaissance of the project area, traverse a survey line that connects the best concentration of microhabitat features:

Riparian areas, intermittent and ephemeral drainages, swales, coves, depressions

Leaf litter accumulations along the sides of large cover (boulders and >4 inch diameter logs)

The dry-damp litter interface in open areas (>3 m away from large cover)

Examination of smooth-barked lower tree trunks up to eyesight level, especially trees larger than 14 inches diameter. Look under peeling bark. Check the ground around these trees for shells.

Examination of logs by rolling back one or two moss mats growing on them, checking the underside of the moss and the exposed log. Upon visual examination, replace logs, rocks and moss mats to original position.

The survey line may have a zigzag appearance, but should generally not exceed 20 feet in width.

Minimize the time spent walking and maximize time spent searching.

Season and Time of Day

Visual searches for snails and slugs may occur in fall until soil temperatures drop below approximately

32 degrees F, or until the ground is frozen. Spring surveys can resume when soil temperature remains above 32 degrees F and may continue through summer until the top soil layer is very dry. Air temperatures below 80 degrees F are preferred.

For stand-sized project areas < 10 acres, conduct a 20 minute cumulative survey (20 minutes by one person, 10 minutes each by two people, etc). For stand-sized project areas > 10 acres, conduct at least one 20 minute cumulative survey or each 10 acres of project area. For very large project areas (i.e., proposed prescribed burn), conduct a field reconnaissance of the proposed project area and identify the site(s) with a concentration of microhabitat features (above). Conduct at least one 20 minute cumulative search within these selected areas. For linear areas, (bulldozer line, proposed road, proposed trail), focus the search on a 12-foot wide transect (six feet on either side of the flagged line --

See Botanical Survey Methodology). Use intuitive control to achieve a thorough survey.

Identify snail and slug specimens (live and empty shell) to species. For the starting point of each transect, record in Excel format:

SERVICE RFQ Page 13 of 48

County

Collector’s Name

Date of Collection

Plant/Ecological Community

Elevation

Aspect

Slope

Substrate

Abundance (number of specimens per species per sample)

Latitude and Longitude, in decimal degrees

Unique or predominant microhabitat features observed (for example, boulders, moss mats, swale, wet cliff, etc.)

Processing of Leaf Litter Bags Provided by the Cherokee National Forest; Terrestrial Mollusk

(Indefinite Delivery) (Item 1D, Schedule of Items)

Forest Service will provide 12 inch by 7 inch bags of leaf litter collected by Forest personnel.

Contractor will process the contents of the bag by thoroughly air drying the litter. Using a bright lamp, hand lens and sieve, thoroughly sort through the dry litter and remove snail specimens for identification.

Data: Identify microsnail specimens to species. For each litter collection location, record in Excel format:

Label number of bag

Abundance (number of specimens per species per sample)

Form.

C. Bat Surveys (Item 1E, Schedule of Items)

Scope Of Work

The work to be accomplished is completion of a presence/probable absence survey for Indiana bat and other TES bats (gray bat, small-footed bat, Rafinesque’s big-eared bat, Virginia big-eared bat) in accordance with “Indiana Bat Survey Guidance for

Kentucky” (May 2010) with special emphasis on (1) netting and/or acoustic sampling season, (2) equipment, (3) net and/or ANABAT placement, and (4) documentation of

Indiana bat captures. The “Minimum level of effort” of the Guidelines applies if

SERVICE RFQ Page 14 of 48 specified by the COR, for project surveys explicitly related to compliance with

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The work must adhere to the most current guidance presented in the document “Cooperative White nose Syndrome Monitoring and Surveillance Plan for Tennessee” dated December 2010 or subsequent updates of this document available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cookeville office website (www.fws.gov/cookeville/pdfs/wnstnplan%202010.pdf).

The mist net survey will occur within specified focus areas of the Cherokee National Forest. The proposed survey will consist of mist-netting (June 1-August 15), unless otherwise indicated);

and/or acoustic sampling with ANABAT (May 15-August 15); and if ordered, radiotelemetry. The primary objectives are (1) to determine presence/probable absence of Myotis sodalis summer roosting individuals, (2) to band Myotis sodalis individuals, (3) to radiotag selected Myotis sodalis individuals (and other species if specified) with the goal of identifying and characterizing diurnal roost sites through radiotelemetry, (4) to document additional bat species occurrence information gathered during the survey, and (5) to promote health and safety of bats of the Cherokee National

Forest by compliance with disinfection protocol for white-nose syndrome.

All cave-dwelling bats will be banded with lipped metal bands provided by the Forest Service.

Indiana bats and other species if specified will be radio tagged after capture by netting. During all mist-netting activity, the contractor will employ ANABAT acoustic sampling technology.

At each fixed point ANABAT sampling location, two detectors will be deployed for two calendar nights. Detectors should be spaced a minimum of 200 meters apart in suitable locations such as forest canopy openings < 50 meters wide, road or stream corridors with open canopies, and small grassy openings < 50 meters wide. The sampling period should begin no later than sunset and continue throughout the entire night. If any of the following weather conditions exist during the sampling period, the effort must be repeated: temperatures below 50 degrees F, strong and variable winds that move nets > 50% of sample time, and/or precipitation or fog that does not stop within

30 minutes or continues intermittently during the survey period. Avoid weatherproofing in a manner that reduces detection. Download and process collected calls to identify bats to species. If a Myotis sodalis call is noted, contact the COR (phone or email) within 2 business days.

ANABAT driving routes are approximately 30-40 miles in length each and will follow routes specified by shape files provided by the Forest Service. Data collection will follow specifications found in Attachment One (1). Data will be collected on each route on at least two calendar days during the specified season in 2011, one at beginning and one at end of contract period. Collected calls must be downloaded and electronic data will be provided to Dr. Eric Britzke in the format specified by Dr. Britzke, who will conduct the analysis.

Project Locations

The Forest Service will recommend potential net locations and/or detector locations within a focus area. Specific locations of each net set within each focus area will be identified by the contractor with flagging prior to mist-netting. The locations will be identified and approved by the COR or designated Inspector during a separate site visit prior to netting. The ANABAT driving route locations will be specified in shape files provided by the Forest Service.

SERVICE RFQ Page 15 of 48

Telemetry

If a Myotis sodalis individual or other specified target species individual is captured and successfully tagged with a transmitter (see priority sequence below), mist netting efforts at that net location will be suspended. The Government will order a minimum of five calendar days of radiotelemetry activity under Item 1E(2). After the minimum of five calendar days, the

Government reserves the right to order additional days of radiotelemetry or to use Government personnel to make use of the contractor's radiotelemetry equipment if needed to locate roosts.

When the telemetry order has been fullfilled, the balance of that location’s mist netting will be completed at that location, or, added to the next logical net location listed in the order, per direction of the COR or Contract Inspector.

If multiple Indiana bats are captured, radiotelemetry will be conducted on individuals (only if weight of transmitter and glue does not exceed 10% body weight) in the following order of priority:

(a) Adult female Indiana bat

(b) Volant young Indiana bat

(c) Adult male Indiana bat

Contacts

Contracting Officer Representative Mary Miller, and Inspectors Joe McGuiness, and Marcia

Carter.

The final report will include an electronic Excel spreadsheet file with the following required data fields in a format specified by and provided by the Government:

date of survey method and unit effort accomplished per site (net nights, detector nights, etc.)

for mist netting, quantified species list by site with sex, reproductive status, age, date and time of capture, weight spatial information for the sample site (mist-netted or sampled via acoustic method for presence/absence of Indiana bat), with explicit latitude and longitude in decimal degrees.

narrative and quantitative summary and map of radiotelemetry results field map, sketch and photography of each sample location showing pertinent habitat features and equipment placements (not recorded in Excel spreadsheet)

Completed Cherokee National Forest Terrestrial Fauna Survey Form (example attached) for each capture location for M. sodalis, M. grisescens, M. sodalis, C. rafinesquii, and C. townsendii virginianus. Attach an accurate map generated with GIS or other electronic mapping software.

For ANABAT data collected at fixed points, provide a summary table that describes location with latitude/longitude, date, time, and quantitative data by species recorded.

For ANABAT data collected during transects (driving routes) provide completed Acoustic

Transect Datasheets (Attachment 1) to the Forest Wildlife Biologist. Provide the driving route data (electronic files) to Dr. Eric Britzke (U.S. Army), who will provide a data summary to the

Forest Wildlife Biologist.

SERVICE RFQ Page 16 of 48

For each Myotis sodalis roost tree confirmed, record latitude and longitude, the dates a transmittered bat is recorded in each roost tree; roost tree species; the number of bats emerging from each roost per emergence; roost entrance aspect; site aspect and slope;

decay class for roost tree (table below); percent midstory (10-30 ft.) cover below roost.

Also record all snags, plus all woody vegetation > 10 cm dbh, within a 0.1 ha circular plot surrounding each roost tree. For each woody plant of that size class within the plot, record the plant species; dbh in centimeters; tree height; roost height; condition of each woody plant (live, live damaged, or snag); percent useable bark cover (high >25%, medium, low <

10%, none); percent total bark cover (high, medium, low); and canopy position (canopy, midcanopy, understory). A data form will be provided by the government.

Contractor-furnished Property/Equipment for Bat Survey

Equipment including appropriate mist nets and harp traps, radiotelemetry transmitters, receiver, antenna and cable, adhesive, ANABAT acoustic sampling equipment and software.

250 – Reports/Contacts

Upon completion of all required field work on an item, the contractor shall prepare and submit a draft report for each area surveyed broken out by taxa group (i.e. botanical, terrestrial mollusk, etc.). The draft report will include all components of the final report, including any apendices, data sheets, etc.

Maps showing survey routes for items 1A, 1B, and 1C and survey points for item 1F shall be included within the draft report. Three copies of the draft report shall be submitted to the COR in electronic format. Final reports shall be submitted to the COR in both electronic (3 copies on CD’s) and hardcopy (1 copy) format.

Botanical reports shall be completed using the Botanical Survey Site Documentation Forms that include the following information:

1. Dates and person hours spent at each survey site.

2. Maps showing survey routes through each stand.

3. DETAILED descriptions of vegetative communities present in each stand with listings of dominant species in each stratum. Descriptions should include nomenclature from the key to the vegetative communities of the Cherokee NF. Any species identified at the project site that is not listed on the survey form, should be added to the appropriate section of the form.

SERVICE RFQ Page 17 of 48

4. Maps showing precise locations of all identified TES and VC species, bryophyte collection sites, AND unique habitats such as wetlands and seeps or other identified rare communities.

5. Latitude and longitude IN DECIMAL DEGREES of all identified TES and VC species, bryophyte collection sites, AND unique habitats such as wetlands and seeps or other identified rare communities.

6. Tennessee Special Plant Survey Forms with maps attached to each. These completed forms shall be included in two formats: 1) Within the report associated with the stand, road, etc. that the species was found in, and 2) All forms combined into one electronic file provided separately on a

CD.

7. Photographs of TES and VC species found

8. Excel spreadsheet with bryophyte data (template will be provided)

9. References

10. If in the contractor’s professional opinion a particular TES plant is likely to be present based on habitat associations, but was not found, this information shall also be provided. If deemed necessary, the contractor may recommend the site be re-visited at a specific time of year to make a positive determination for that species.

Terrestrial wildlife reports shall include the information specified in Terrestrial Fauna Species Survey

Methodology (Sections C and J), and:

11. Dates and person hours (by name) spent at each survey site.

12. Descriptions of vegetative communities present in each unit surveyed (see Botanical Report, above).

13. Maps showing precise locations of all identified TES and VC species, leaf litter collection sites, bat mist-netting locations, AND unique habitats such as wetlands and seeps.

14. Latitude and longitude IN DECIMAL DEGREES of all identified TES and VC species, leaf litter collection sites, bat mist-netting locations, AND unique habitats such as wetlands and seeps.

15. For each location of TES and VC species, complete the attached Cherokee NF Rare Fauna

Survey Form. Attach an accurate map generated with GIS or other electronic mapping software.

These completed forms shall be included in two formats: 1) Within the report associated with the stand, road, etc. that the species was found in, and 2) All forms combined into one electronic file provided separately on a CD

16. Photographs of TES and VC species found

17. References

SERVICE RFQ Page 18 of 48

DIVISION 300 - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

310 – Inspection and acceptance

Inspection and acceptance will be performed in accordance with Clause 52.246-4, Inspection of

Services – Fixed Price. Work shall be inspected by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) as it progresses.

320 - Draft Reports

Following completion of Task Order field work, contractor shall prepare and submit a report marked

“DRAFT” to the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Draft report shall be reviewed by the COR within 15 business days of receipt. COR shall provide contractor with specific instructions for revision of the draft report, or accept the draft as presented. Draft report will be returned to contractor for revision or conversion to a final report. Contractor shall have 10 business days to make the revisions or convert the report to final status, and resubmit to COR. Final acceptance will be made upon completion and delivery of final report

DIVISION 400 – METHOD OF MEASUREMENT AND BASIS OF PAYMENT

410 – Measurement:

All units of distance or area, as given in the Schedule of Items, (Part I, Section B), reflect measurement on the horizontal, as taken from GIS maps, and for the purposes of this contract are considered actual and not an estimate.

420 – Payment:

Payment will be made at the established unit prices for quantities ordered, satisfactorily completed and accepted by the COR, in accordance with Clause 52.232-1, Payments. Payment for 80% of the order may be made upon receipt and approval of the draft report by the COR. Final 20% balance will be paid upon receipt and approval of the final report by the COR. For acoustic ANABAT transect (driving route) data, 100% payment will be made upon submission and acceptance of electronic data to Dr. Eric Britzke and submission of completed Acoustic Transect Datasheets to Forest Wildlife Biologist.

SERVICE RFQ Page 19 of 48

SECTION D - Packaging and Marking

(For this Solicitation, there are NO clauses in this Section)

SERVICE RFQ Page 20 of 48

SECTION E - Inspection and Acceptance

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.246-1 Contractor Inspection Requirements. (APR 1984)

52.246-4 Inspection of Services - Fixed-Price. (AUG 1996)

(a) Definition: "Services," as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the

Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the Government may -

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

(2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(f) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may -

(1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service; or

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work. (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than

(*See Below) calendar days after date of the delivery order, plus an additional 5 calendar days for mailing and planning purposes.

The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

*CONTRACT TIME for each Delivery Order issued shall be calculated thus:

Each delivery order shall include an additional 30 calendar days for report generation for all field activities contained in each order.

The sole exception to this is Item 1D, which will not include any additional time for report generation.

Each item listed below (1A, 1B, etc) represents a distinct task, each typically accomplished separately by a unique group of technical experts. The contractor should be capable of deploying multiple groups of technical experts simultaneously as ordered.

Therefore, contract times for each item are not additive, rather, the longer of any one item represents the maximum contract time for an order.

SERVICE RFQ Page 21 of 48

Example: If an order specifies 60 acres of botanical surveys (2 days) and 30 acres of Weller’s salamander surveys (1 day), the time allowed for those items would be 2 days, not 3. If an order specifies 12 ANABAT driving routes and 4 fixed point

ANABAT detector nights, the time allowed for those items would be 30 days, not 60 days.

Schedule of Items Contract Time* (**)

ITEM 1A. Conduct Botanical Surveys:

1. Stand-sized areas 30 acres / 1 day

2. Bulldozer lines 3.0 miles/ 1 day

3. Trails 3.0 miles/ 1 day

4. Roads 3.0 miles/ 1 day

ITEM 1B. Conduct Weller’s Salamander Surveys:

2. Bulldozer lines 3.0 mile/ 1 day

3. Trails 3.0 mile / 1 day

4. Roads 3.0 mile / 1 day

ITEM 1C. Conduct Terrestrial Mollusk Surveys:

2. Bulldozer lines 3.0 mile/ 1 day

3. Trails 3.0 mile / 1 day

4. Roads 3.0 mile / 1 day

ITEM 1D: Process Government Furnished Leaf Litter Bags and Identify Terrestrial

Mollusks:

1. 1-10 bags 30 days

2. 11-20 bags 45 days

ITEM 1E: Process Government Furnished Bryophyte Packets and Identify Species:

1. 1-5 packets 1 day

2. More than 5 packets 5 packets / 1 day

ITEM 1F. Conduct Survey for Indiana Bat

For any order for 1-6 net nights, 1-6 fixed point ANABAT detector nights and/or 1-12 ANABAT driving routes (one night each), contractor will receive 30 calendar days contract time within which to perform the ordered activity. These surveys must be performed within specified calendar date windows.

SERVICE RFQ Page 22 of 48

*(1 FULL DAY MINIMUM. ANY RESULTING FRACTION WILL BE ROUNDED FORWARD TO NEXT FULL DAY).

**ANY ORDER PRODUCING A CONTRACT TIME IN EXCESS OF 90 CALENDAR DAYS, EXCLUDING 30 DAYS FOR

REPORT GENERATION, WILL BECOME NEGOTIABLE AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNMENT.

SERVICE RFQ Page 23 of 48

SECTION F - Deliveries or Performance

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order. (AUG 1989)

452.211-74 Period of Performance. (FEB 1988)

The period of performance of this contract is from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012.

SERVICE RFQ Page 24 of 48

SECTION G - Contract Administration Data

452.215-73 Postaward Conference. (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 15 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at: Cherokee National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 2800 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN

37312.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government

Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

Government Furnished Property shall include:

1. Topographic maps or shape files of the areas or routes to be surveyed.

2. Known locations of TES and VC species in the project vicinity

3. TES and VC species list for the Cherokee National Forest.

4. Key to the Vegetative Communities of the Cherokee National Forest.

5. Tennessee Special Plant Survey Form; Cherokee NF Rare Fauna Survey Form; and Cherokee Botanical Survey Site

Documentation Form.

6. Bryophyte collection packets or templates for packets (need to be folded).

7. Sample leaf litter collection bags, 12x7 inches (for Terrestrial Mollusk samples)

8. Metal bands (bats), Cherokee National Forest

SERVICE RFQ Page 25 of 48

SECTION H - Special Contract Requirements

452.237-74 Key Personnel. (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: Botanist, Biologist with expertise in bats, Herpetology, and Terrestrial Mollusks.

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below.

After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

SERVICE RFQ Page 26 of 48

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - Contract Clauses

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.arnet.gov/far/ www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (DEC 2010)

52.215-8 Order of Precedence - Uniform Contract Format. (OCT 1997)

52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside. (JUN 2003)

52.222-3 Convict Labor. (JUN 2003)

52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities. (FEB 1999)

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity. (MAR 2007)

52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities. (OCT 2010)

52.222-41 Service Contract Act of 1965. (NOV 2007)

52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons. (FEB 2009)

52.223-5 Pollution Prevention and Right-to-Know Information. (AUG 2003)

52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace. (MAY 2001)

52.232-1 Payments. (APR 1984)

52.232-8 Discounts for Prompt Payment. (FEB 2002)

52.232-11 Extras. (APR 1984)

52.232-23 Assignment of Claims. (JAN 1986)

52.232-25 Prompt payment. (OCT 2008)

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration. (OCT 2003)

52.233-1 Disputes. (JUL 2002)

52.233-3 Protest after Award. (AUG 1996)

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim. (OCT 2004)

52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation. (APR 1984)

52.243-1 Changes - Fixed-Price. (AUG 1987)

52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items. (DEC 2010)

52.245-1 Government Property. (AUG 2010)

52.249-1 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form). (APR 1984)

52.249-8 Default (Fixed-Price Supply and Service). (APR 1984)

52.253-1 Computer Generated Forms. (JAN 1991)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 4) CLAUSES

452.237-75 Restrictions Against Disclosure. (FEB 1988) http://www.arnet.gov/FAR/ http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

SERVICE RFQ Page 27 of 48

52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration. (APR 2008)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause--

"Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database" means the primary Government repository for Contractor information required for the conduct of business with the Government.

"Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number" means the 9-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to identify unique business entities.

"Data Universal Numbering System +4 (DUNS+4) number" means the DUNS number assigned by D&B plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned by a business concern.